Huge group of incoming CMU freshmen expected at annual event - WNEM TV 5

The annual Leadership Safari at Central Michigan University is expecting nearly half of its incoming freshman class to move in early and participate in the event Saturday.

The five-day program allows freshmen to experience CMU and make connections with each other before the start of the school year.

"Generally speaking, students who have a meaningful relationship to another person or organization in the early stages of their college career tend to stay through graduation," says Dani Hiar, Leadership Safari director. "Safari is designed to make those connections and ease the transition into college."

Data shows incoming freshmen who participate in Safari have an average GPA that's 0.2 higher than freshmen who do not. Hiar said students show that "significant difference" in GPA rates even in their first semester.

CMU has 13 years of data comparing the retention rates and academic success of students who go through the program versus those who do not.

Furthermore, of the 2010 incoming freshmen who returned to CMU in fall 2011, the retention rate was 7 to 10 percent higher for Safari participants, compared to students who did not participate.

Saline senior Breana Boyer went through Safari in fall 2008. Now a staff assistant for the program, she says Safari introduced her to her best friends in college by teaching her to accept people from all walks of life.

"I came into college thinking I knew everything and the world wasn't going to be a surprise for me, but I met people who challenged everything I had to say," Boyer said. "It's OK to have different opinions, and I learned that through Safari."

Events like the Challenge Course help students get to know each other and develop trust among their teammates, creating a lasting bond. Boyer says Safari helps students make friends early on while also helping to establish a love for CMU.

"During the Traditions Day session, the freshmen learn the fight song and can see how much the athletes love Central," Boyer said. "They start to see the passion other students have for CMU, and they start to take pride in the university. That's when they start to be CMU Chippewas."